Hemodynamic Response Alteration As a Function of Task Complexity and Expertise—An fNIRS Study in Jugglers

Abstract

Detailed knowledge about online brain processing during the execution of complex motor tasks with a high motion range still remains elusive. The aim of the present study was to investigate the hemodynamic responses within sensorimotor networks as well as in visual motion area during the execution of a complex visuomotor task such as juggling. More specifically, we were interested in how far the hemodynamic response as measured with functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) adapts as a function of task complexity and the level of the juggling expertise. We asked expert jugglers to perform different juggling tasks with different levels of complexity such as a 2-ball juggling, 3- and 5-ball juggling cascades. We here demonstrate that expert jugglers show an altered neurovascular response with increasing task complexity, since a 5-ball juggling cascade showed enhanced hemodynamic responses for oxygenated hemoglobin as compared to less complex tasks such as a 3- or 2-ball juggling pattern. Moreover, correlations between the hemodynamic response and the level of the juggling expertise during the 5-ball juggling cascade, acquired by cinematographic video analysis, revealed only a non-significant trend in primary motor cortex, indicating that a higher level of expertise might be associated with lower hemodynamic responses.

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“…Interestingly, the hemodynamic response in the DLPFC was not significantly different as a function of task complexity, as has been demonstrated in previous brain imaging studies of the DLPFC [ 32 , 33 ]. The fNIRS literature suggests that there is an increased hemodynamic response in the sensorimotor and visual motion areas as motor task complexity increases [ 34 ], and a similar response appears to occur in the motor cortex [ 35 ]. However, our data are, to our knowledge, the first to suggest that this may not be the case for the prefrontal cortex.…”

Application of Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to the Study of Brain Function in Humans and Animal Models

“…The main features of fNIRS, such as its portability and lower susceptibility to motion artifacts, allow researchers to measure changes in cortical activity during diverse motor tasks, ranging from moving the fingers and hands in clicking a mouse or keyboard during a Stroop task or computer game ( Carrieri et al, 2016 ; Harmat et al, 2015 ; Kashou et al, 2016 ; Shortz et al, 2015 ) to those body movements requiring coordination, such as juggling ( Carius et al, 2016 ) and balancing on a board ( Herold et al, 2017 ), and even to those requiring fine motor skills, such as simulating surgery ( Andreu-Perez et al, 2016 ) and flight ( Choe et al, 2016 ; Gateau et al, 2015 ). In addition, several recent studies have investigated the effects of bodily and road conditions, such as fatigue ( Xu et al, 2017 ), age ( Foy et al, 2016 ), and road curve ( Oka et al, 2015 ), on the hemodynamic responses of subjects during a driving simulation test.…”

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“…In order to verify such underlying mechanisms, studies on hemodynamic responses during juggling tasks should be conducted. Results of Carius et al (2016) from investigations on the primary motor cortex might support the motor response hypothesis. They found that a higher level of expertise might be associated with lower hemodynamic responses during juggling tasks.…”

“…They stated that visual behavior and the use of peripheral vision vary depending on expertise and that probably intermediate jugglers relied more on peripheral vision than the inexperienced or expert jugglers. Moreover, investigations of the primary motor cortex on hemodynamic responses during juggling tasks indicated that a higher level of expertise might be associated with lower hemodynamic responses (Carius et al, 2016). These results suggest that juggling expertise might have an influence on peripheral vision during complex motor tasks and potentially on underlying mechanisms.…”